Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-24
IRELAND's WRONGS.
A~" Members OF the British ParIia-
ilent Given a Keeeption.


AS" Members OF the British ParIIa-
nens Given a Reception.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l4.-Sir Thomas
Henry Grafton Esmonde and tho Hon.
Arthur O'COnnor were rendered a reception
this evening by the Irish societies, at
Masonic temple. Senator Ingalls, presided.
He was warmly applauded upon appearing
upon the platform. After the APP
plause with which he was greet
ed had subsidized he said the two
illustrious members OF the British
parliament have crossed the ocean to tell
the story of the wrongs of Ireland. They
are here for the purpose of ascertaining the
sentiment Of the American people upon
the great question which is now occupying
the attention Of all men all over the civil
lied world We have assembled this
evening for the purpose of saying that the
cause Of ireland is the cause OF America,
and the cause of humanity ITSELF If we
are called upon TO choose between express
ing our sympathies for Great Britain or for
Ireland ia his control. No American citi-
zen will long hesitate as TO what his prefer
ence shall be. Great Britain should net
forget that 1000, 900 OF people determined
TO be free can never be enslaved. Great
Britain should not forget that 3, 600, 0OJ Of
citizens in the original thirteen colonies
rey0lted and achieved independence under
FIR less proyocatiOn than the 100000 OF
Irish people have endured for centuries.
lie did not desire 10 intrude upon the
comfy OF nations but he could not forget
that "A brutal and degraded British soldiery,
! within the memory Of men who might
now be within the hearing of his voice,
had sacked and burned this capital. He
could not forget that in every great crisis
| In American history, all have had TO con-
| tend With the i'll will ana maeyOlence OF
the governing classes of Great Britain,
| that she consOrted with the south and
/ equiyocated with the north, and continued
/ everything short Of actual hostility TO Sc
| cure the downfall OF the Americon union.
1 During that awful period there wasn't a
| battlefield for American liberty which wa:
not illustrated by Irish yalOI, and conse-
Grated by Irish blood.
lie then introduced Sir Arthur o Connor
| who was received with cheers. He said b,
was seusibleof the greatness and sacrednes
\ of the cause which be had the honor Il
represent. Here in Washington. the head
quarters Of freedom, the capital Of th'
grandest and freest community the work
had ever seen, no cause which was not jus
! could call forth such distinguished audi
ence. Ireland was attempting by force O
organized public opinion. by constitutions
and peaceful means, 10 secure the repeal
not Of the law, but of conquest IL wa
attempting to repeal the conquest of Ire
land.
Mr.. O'Cannor spoke elOquently OF tn
wrong endured by Ireland during the 7O
yeaB OF English rule since that conquest
and proceeded TO draw VIVID picture Q
the oppression and hariships TO which tn
Irish people were compelled to bow. ant
detailed the demands which the home rui
party made upon the British government
They had come here 10 thank America 70
her past aid, and TO ask for its continuanc
until the crisis, now impending. is passed
Senator Hawley, the next speaker. sal
the speech Of Mr.. O'Connor was the state
ment OF a terrible fact, terrible argument
Humanity everywhere would say that b
had stated wrongs which must be remedied
He Joined very gladly in the welcome I
these distinguished representatives Of th
: great liberal party Of the great British en-
pire,
Resolutions were unanimously aaopte
extending hearty greeting to Messrs. Is
! monde and O'Connor. protesting in I'll
: name OF humanity against the tory party
attitude toward Ireland being sui
yersive OF liberty, Of right, {
Justice; declaring that the peopl
OF Ireland may well arraig
! their oppressors before the civilized world
] In words Of Thomas jefferson: ''Io
Z have destroyed the lives Of our people wit
circumstances Of cruelty and perfd
scarcely paralleled in the most barbaroI
i ages. and totally unworthy Of civilize
+. nation" Expressing admiration TOR Pa
Q nell aud the Irish parliamentary part.
: thanking Gladstone for his course towaT
Ireland and pleading financial aid to Il
: Irish people.